Huge Performances Seen at ASOP TV’s Finals Night

Judges and spectators in last night’s A Song of Praise (ASOP) Music Festival Songwriting Competition have seen huge performances of the 12 original praise songs interpreted by acclaimed Philippine singers. Here’s a look of the many best moments of the country’s first praise song writing contest on television.

The Philippines’ first praise song competition on television grand finals night drew tens of thousands audiences Monday night, filling the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Twelve original praise song compositions vied for 2012 A Song of Praise (ASOP) Song of the Year title.

Kuya Daniel Razon, who conceptualized ASOP TV, explained that it was Bro. Eli Soriano of Members Church of God International who brainchild the song writing contest. Prior its TV version launch in August last year, ASOP music festival was an anticipated biannual event at MCGI and is in continued search for best praise songs from composers within the organization alongside ASOP TV.

Kuya Daniel also reiterated that the ASOP TV competition is open to everyone, regardless of religious affiliation, and is free from biases as to the choosing of the winners.

“We have invited acclaimed judges to judge the musicality and everything about the song. Our participation in the contest is to give tokens to encourage composers to create songs of praises to God,” he added.

Jayson Fernandez, former vocalist of Rivermaya and current frontman of Sta. Maria band, performed Gerwin Villa’s Purihin Ka ng aking Luha. The song’s youth-subdued melodic contour, as judge Mon del Rosario described it, made it the favorite of the young audience.

First Pinoy Idol winner (2006) Gretchen Espina took the center stage for her performance of Rigor Jay Arellano’s I Will Still Praise You.

After a year of waiting, ASOP TV’s first monthly winner Rigor Jay Arellano heard the last words of the judge he picked from the judges’ bowl about his composition.

A special performance of the night, OPM balladeer and ASOP TV host Richard Reynoso sang Alay Sa’Yo, one of Kuya Daniel Razon’s masterpieces.

Kyla showed how best she can interpret Be My Everything, the song entry of Jessa Mae Gabon.

ASOP TV hosts Richard Reynoso and Toni Rose Gayda interviewed finalist Jessa Mae Gabon after Kyla’s interpretation of her song Be My Everything. Gabon is a college student pursuing a course in the Conservatory of Music at the University of Sto. Tomas.

Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto gave his insights about one of the song finalists. When asked if he had difficult time judging, he said, “Hindi mahirap kungdi masarap ang makinig ng mga praise songs (It’s not difficult but pleasing to listen to praise songs).” Senator Sotto was a member of the former VST and Company, a Filipino disco group popular in 1970s.

Gail Blanco performed 2012 ASOP TV Song of the Year Purihin mo ang Dios Oh Pilipinas.

Composer of the winning entry Purihin mo ang Dios Oh Pilipinas, Antonio Estrella, Jr. received 500,000 pesos. Judges were remembered to have called his song the “Pinoy praise song” during one of the weekly finals of the contest.

Judges came up on stage to receive their plaques of appreciation and to award the winners of the ASOP TV Year 1.